ILOILO CITY — After Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu publicly lashed out, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Western Visayas retracted its analysis while blaming the media for alleged wrong reporting on the impact of real property tax (RPT) tax hike on inflation.

The PSA-6’s change of tone came following Monday’s public outburst of Chu, who reacted to news reports of possible impact on inflation rate of the proposed full implementation of the 300 percent RPT increase.

“I am very sorry for the news ... I vehemently deny that I said the inflation in Iloilo City is caused ‘directly’ by the 300 percent RPT,” said PSA-6 Director Nelida Amolar in a message sent to Chu dated Aug. 18.  

When Manila Bulletin separately interviewed Amolar via phone, she claimed she was misquoted by Daily Guardian newspaper.

But the video of the Aug. 14 press conference that PSA-6 livestreamed tells a different story. 

The video shows a radio reporter specifically asking Amolar what are the “direct and indirect effects” of the RPT increase to the inflation rate of Iloilo City. 

The radio reporter specifically mentioned to Amolar that the Iloilo City Council is discussing whether or not to extend the 40 percent reduction of the 300 percent RPT rate until 2028.

Amolar responded and noted how business establishments “in general” will recover the cost for paying higher RPT, which would become add-ons to commodities that consumers pay.

“Diin na nila kuhaon? Mabayad sila daku pero gamay ila benta (Where are they going to get it?  They will pay a large amount, but the sales are low),” said Amolar last Aug. 14 during PSA-6’s monthly press conference.

“So, that’s the direct effect to the wholesale, retail, and even in service commodities like restaurants and cafés,” Amolar pointed out during the same press conference.

Daily Guardian said they stand by their reportage.

“We did not misquote, nor did we fabricate. We reported what was said —and we will continue to do so, guided not by political convenience but by evidence and accountability,” the Daily Guardian said in a statement on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

“We urged the PSA-6 to uphold the integrity of its data and pronouncements, free from political influence or intimidation,” Daily Guardian urged.

The PSA-6 fiasco is similar to how a statement was retracted by Dr. Ivan Anthony Henares last year.

During a forum celebrating the 2024 National Heritage Month, Henares said in a forum that the demolition of the heritage structure Iloilo Central Market was a “hot topic” among the country’s national cultural agencies.

But Henares later denied his statements following the public meltdown of then Mayor Jerry Treñas, the father of the incumbent mayor.

Henares would blame Daily Guardian and Panay News of “irresponsible reporting” while disowning his recorded and broadcast statements as the secretary-general of the United Nations, Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization National Commission of the Philippines.